Simone DaCosta to Launch "I Am Beautiful: When I Look at Me, I See..." at Toronto Urban Book Expo

TORONTO, ON (December 2014) - Canadian writer Simone DaCosta will be launching her young adult non-fiction title I Am Beautiful: When I Look at Me, I See... at Kya Publishing's Toronto Urban Book Expo, taking place on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Toronto Public Library's Malvern Branch from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

This inspirational book, created for middle school aged Black girls, aims to empower and liberate them to believe that they are beautiful, despite society's notion of what "beauty" is.

"In an era where the popular idealistic images of beauty are based on the western world's realism of beauty, it illustrates that beauty begins with knowing who you are, believing it, and accepting yourself as you are," said Simone.

A writer, author, and publisher, Simone DaCosta has published a devotional day planner Remember to Pray, a 2013 Day Planner, as well as two children's books: A Silly Rhyming Alphabet Book About Animals from A to Z, and her recently published book Emily-Rose's Day at the Farm.

Readers of all ages are welcome to come and celebrate the launch of I Am Beautiful: When I Look at Me, I See... at the Toronto Urban Book Expo; this event is free of charge.

For more information about Simone Da Costa, please visit http://www.simonedacosta.com. For additional details about the Toronto Urban Book Expo, please visit http://www.kyapublishing.com

Emily-Rose's Day at the Farm is currently on sale for $10.00 from the original sale price of $12.99.

Book Synopsis:

Experience a fun-filled day packed with action and adventure on the farm

Emily-Rose's Day at the Farm introduces children to a variety of farm animals and the work that goes into caring for the "rambunctious" bunch. Emily-Rose takes its young readers on an exciting adventure feeding pecking chickens, being slopped on by walloping pigs, encountering a galloping horse, being chased by crazy ducks and milking a cow.

Our VE’s (vendor-educators) are all passionate and well educated in their respective fields. WOMAN ON FIRE HEALTH EXPO is about connecting amazing people under one roof to benefit their health in a positive and inspiring way. As your grandmother used to say “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.”

Rise UP! Rise ABOVE! is a not-for-profit corporation (registered federally) with a mission to bring about Empowerment through Creativity.
Our aim: To use a creative arts approach (writing, art, music, dance) to bring about a self-awareness of one’s core creativity; build self-worth and an appreciation of the rich diversity of Canadian aboriginal, mainstream, and multicultural arts. This approach will be to develop workshop models around art and poetry and storytelling. These modes of expression will be used in a therapeutic process of self-discovery, self-validation and empowerment for the individual and the community.

Projects scheduled:

1. Where is the Village?—Raising special kids. This is an art expression workshop for kids with autism/ADD/other developmental diagnoses (with networking on the side for their parent/s). The first workshop was held on October 12 in Streetsville and this will be a monthly event. Facilitator: Pilar Rey del Castro. Coordinator: Yogna Gupta.

2. Telling my Story. This is a creative writing workshop which may include journaling/memoir writing/art/poetry/career counselling. The journaling will be tailored to address the specific needs of participants, for example trauma victims, newcomers, seniors, grief counselling, etc. The first workshop of ‘Telling my Story’ will be on October 19, from 2-4 pm, and once a month thereafter. Facilitator: Nina Munteanu. Coordinator: Cheryl Antao-Xavier.
Empowerment through Creativity
Other resource team members in this area/topic: Elizabeth Verwey (career
counselling); Colin McClean (men/youth); Norma Nicholson (youth in
crisis).

3. Aboriginal heritage awareness. A workshop/presentation explaining
aboriginal customs and traditions through art, dance and storytelling (oral
tradition). This workshop/presentation will be taken to schools, community
events and libraries across the GTA. Coordinator: Cheryl

Nadia Hohn, founder of the Canadian Writers for Children and Young Adults group shares her personal opinion piece on diversity in children's literature. To read more go to: http://www.bookcentre.ca/store/products/canadian_childrens_book_news_fall_2014

Join us for an ahhmazing Ladies Night!
In the spirit of women helping women, 4Cats Port Credit is hosting a
ladies night in support of Interim Place. Grab your bestie, your sister, your mother or just come out to meet some moms in your community.
We will be creating Tamara De Lempicka polymer clay inspired jewelry!

Location: 4Cats Port Credit (193b Lakeshore Road E)

When: Friday, October 3rd from 7-9pm

Cost: $10 + a donation of toiletries or a monetary donation to Interim place

Do you love children's literature and Art? Read a little every day, lead a better life. Follow the #KLA and let the magic begin.Reviews/promo/inspiration

Description:

This new community is an amazing way to get the children's books you write into the hands of children. Many Children. KLA is where you can find a lot of resources about upcoming events and free book offers and reviews. That is just for starters. Go to our website for an array of information on everything we stand for, and everything we provide.

DHAITI is a day to come out and experience a taste of Haiti, to learn about a country that we only hear about when devastation comes knocking from the earthquake to the cholera breakout, the hundreds of thousands of abandoned and orphaned children not to mention the political unrest. Sadly it’s only in this state that we remember Haiti, as someone who loves this country and their children I want people to learn and appreciate this Caribbean island that was the first country in the Caribbean to gain independence and at the same time contribute towards helping orphans and abandoned children in Haiti.

A fabulous fashion show “DHaiti Fashionistas” with an array of designers including Local Buttons an organization that works and supports Haitians through fashion, Oohlala Divas, specializing in amazing gowns, Ry Alexander an upcoming Toronto designer, Filosofia Swimwear – Brazilian swimwear for ladies of all shapes and sizes. Volunteer models will bring the fashion show alive.

Children’s area with toys taken to and used by the children in Haiti. Children under 12 are FREE!

Event is family oriented and we encourage people to bring their children.

Toronto book fair launches self-publishing awards. Awards to be presented at Inspire! Toronto International Book Fair in November, 2014. For more information click on the image or visit: http://artandsocialchange.ca/awards/